Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Science

ORCLS Researchers: Makoto Suzuki

Makoto Suzuki, MD, PhD.

Director, Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Science

Principal Investigator, Okinawa Centenarian Study

Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus

Makoto Suzuki MD PhD is a cardiologist and geriatrician. He is Professor Emeritus and former Director of the Department of Community Medicine at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan. Currently, he is Director, Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Science, in Urasoe, Okinawa. He recently retired from his position as professor in the Department of Human Welfare at Okinawa International University. He is Principal Investigator of the Okinawa Centenarian Study, a Japan Ministry of Health-funded study of the world's healthiest and longest-lived people. The study is entering its 36th year and is the longest continuously running centenarian study in the world. Dr. Suzuki has over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications and his total publications number over 700 including scientific manuscripts, conference proceedings, books and book chapters on aging and health. As the first scientist to make a comprehensive study of Okinawan longevity, he organized a conference in 1995 in which the Director of the World Health Organization supported the declaration of Okinawa as a World Longevity Region. He was recently presented with the Nishi-Nihon News Award to recognize his lifetime contributions to health and well being in Japan.

A. Positions and Honors

1975-present: Principal Investigator, Okinawa Centenarian Study

1976 to 1981: Associate Professor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus

1981 to 1999: Professor of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, University of the Ryukyus

1981 to 1999: Director (Chief), Research Center for Comprehensive Medicine, University of the Ryukyus

C. Research Support

The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and timing of age-related illness among centenarians in Okinawa from the years 2000-2008 (secondary data analysis from the Okinawa Centenarian Study) and compare the findings to other centenarian studies in the U.S.